Kilkenny to the fore as Timmy Brennan impresses for Show Jumping Ireland in Geneva

Irish showjumping riders were in good form on the opening day of action at Geneva’s prestigious five-star show in Switzerland, with Kilkenny's Timmy Brennan and Meath’s Cian O’Connor featuring strongly.

Timmy Brennan and Diadema Della Caccia

Brennan and the 10-year-old mare Diadema Della Caccia stormed to victory in Geneva’s 1m40 U25 Speed class. Their brilliant clear in 58.41 seconds gave them almost two seconds to spare over Swiss runner-up Thibaut Keller. Fourth place went to the Kevin-Meagher-bred HHS Ice Flo (ISH| and Molly Hughes Bravo (POR).

World No.22 O’Connor scored two podium places, beginning with a third place finish with the 11-year-old mare Canbella Blue PS in the 1m45 Two Phase class. Their second phase clear in 28.11 seconds saw them finish just over two seconds behind German winner Michael Jung with Fischer Duopower.

O’Connor recorded his second podium finish of the day in the later 1m60 jump-off class with the 12-year-old gelding Chatolinue PS. A clear second round in 47.16 saw them take third spot – two seconds behind British winner Donald Whitaker with Millfield Colette, while Germany’s Christian Ahlmann filled runner-up spot with Dourkhan Hero Z.